Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Conservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Austin Water presents first quarterly Water Forward implementation report; highlights conservation gains, leak alerts and reclaimed water progress
Summary
Austin Water presented its first quarterly implementation report for the Water Forward and conservation plans, reporting increased residential rebate participation, growth in commercial rebates in 2024, expanded deployment of smart meters and leak alerts, and ongoing work to reduce nonrevenue water and expand reclaimed water.
Austin Water presented the commission with its first quarterly implementation report tracking progress on the Water Forward plan and the water conservation plan for the first quarter of 2025.
Assistant director Kevin Kluge said the quarterly slide‑deck format is new for the department and is intended to provide regular, succinct updates on five broad categories: water conservation, water loss reduction, reclaimed and reused water, conservation outreach and water supply strategies. “Quarterly reporting of implementation at this scale is a first for Austin Water and perhaps a first for anywhere in the state or nation,” Kluge said.
Key highlights and metrics presented by staff:
- Residential rebates: Staff reported a higher number of approved residential rebates in Q1 2025 than in Q1 2024, which staff attributed in part to more robust outreach and a warm late 2024 that prompted conservation interest. Kluge said the Waterwise Landscape and Rainscape program saw higher acceptance rates.
- Commercial rebates: 2024 was a stronger year for commercial rebates, with roughly 24,000,000 gallons claimed in savings and a notable pipeline of projects expected to show results in later quarters.
- Smart meters and leak alerts (MyATX Water): Staff reported near‑complete deployment of smart meters for residential customers and increased leak/continuous‑flow alerts. The department is tracking estimated water savings from alerts and said more meters in the field explain part of the uptick in alerts and captured savings.
- Water loss and infrastructure: Austin Water said it is implementing recommendations from an external Black & Veatch review and is increasing investment in service‑line replacements and leak detection. The department also reported the Infrastructure Leakage Index rose in 2024 relative to 2023; staff attributed that change to improved detection/data and to increased real losses during a hot, dry late‑season period.
- Reclaimed and on‑site reuse (Go Purple): Staff reported two additional reclaimed meters in Q1 and 222 total reclaimed meters citywide; the volume of centralized reclaimed water used decreased in Q1 relative to 2024 because a large user (the Jimmy Clay Golf Course) reduced its 2024 reclaim demand after turf reestablishment. Go Purple on‑site reuse incentives were in development with no finalized incentive payments in Q1; staff expects program activity to show up in later quarters.
Commissioners asked a range of follow‑up questions. Commissioner Silverstein asked about lead and PFAS in the system; staff said the city’s lead inventory is nearly complete and that Austin Water conducts PFAS testing and reports marginal detections well below advisory levels. Commissioners asked for additional detail on participation by geography or demographics in rebate programs; staff said they do not collect demographic data on rebate forms but have follow‑up surveys and can share available information.
On leak alerts, commissioners asked whether alert recipients fix leaks and how quickly; staff said much of the evidence is anecdotal and that the department does not yet have definitive metrics on time to repair, though MyATX portal adoption and notification are intended to improve response. Commissioners urged the department to expand outreach encouraging portal sign‑up and to consider gamification or other engagement tools proven in other utilities.
On reclaimed water, staff said they are advancing feasibility work on subsidy mechanisms for deeply affordable developments, drafting indirect potable reuse design criteria and continuing work on aquifer storage and a long‑term reservoir option, and that additional reclaimed storage/tank capacity has been identified in long‑range planning.
Staff requested and welcomed commission feedback on report formatting and requested clear guidance on how commissioners would like to see data summarized in future quarters.
Speakers for this item included Kevin Kluge and Marissa Flores Gonzalez (Austin Water water resources) and other Austin Water staff involved in conservation, finance and program delivery.
